Lost in the system, part 2

[Luludean]

Now I have read that Xarelto and Metronidazole have " interactions"

Is this why I feel weirder?

[BobD Volunteer]

Do you have a tooth absess? That is what metronidazole has been give for from my experience. IT seems to have "interactions with everything eswspecially alcohol! May discuss with yoru phamacist.

[Luludean in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob d. I have diverticular disease, valve repair and persistent AF. I posted earlier about not having seen a cardiologist for 2 yeas. I had 2 replies.

On Xarelto, digoxin and Losartan potassium. Metronidazole is for nasty bout of Diverticulitis, I am due to fly to NZ Dec 5th, hence panic.

Thank you

[Auriculaire in reply to Luludean]

Metronidazole is a very nasty drug. I was given it in combo with Cipro iv for diverticulitis. They stopped the Cipro when I got neuropathy in my arms ( and the first arrythmia I ever was aware of) but I continued to feel awful on the Flagyl and when I came out of the hospital I had what might have been my first afib episode. My GP switched me to Augmentin. Metronidazole is a neurotoxin and many people have had bad reactions to it. The second diverticulitis attack I had antibiotics for I insisted on Augmentin. I have since had the offending part of my colon removed.

[Bagrat]

Metronidazole is not nice to take regardless of if you take other prescribed meds. The interactions if listed are more likely to be to do with efficacy of either or both if taken together. As Bob said alcohol is the big no no as with metronidazole it makes you feel c**p ( apart from my OH who drank through a whole course in spite of my protestations)

[Luludean in reply to Bagrat]

Thanks Bagrat, I am not drinking alcohol.😥

I am petrified of not getting to my son in Nz on the 5dec.

Distraught about not seeing a cardogist for 2 years ,my GP and I have tried hospital and secretary.

I have had diverticular disease for years , usually kept under control, heart drugs do not help it but , must take them.

This episode though is quite frightening, I know it is not always helpful but, I have researched it. I have always told GP that at night it is like something sitting on my chest. I thought it was a heart problem. But this time I told the GP that I also felt that I ‘d swallowed acid. He is super kind, told me that anti. Bios would sort it, he is more keen to get my cardio appointment. I need it for health insurance.

Any way , it is has got worse this week end, I live alone . My research and ,instincts tell me I have a peptic ulcer , it sometimes goes with diverticulitis.

This worries me because I am on Rivaraxaban.

Very close friend died last week totally unexpectedly last week in Papworth..funeral tomorrow. My mum died this year, terrible complications with her will, I’m only child. Daughter had breakdown etc etc . Care for grandchildren, I cope but it is hard work.

Hope you are ok!

[Bagrat in reply to Luludean]

I suspect any of these life events would be quite enough to make your diverticulitis kick off. I developed heart type symptoms and panic attacks when my husband had heart attack in 2005. I finally sought help ( apart from GP who was v good) in 2015 and went to Human Givens therapist for only 3 sessions. A weight was lifted. My PAF well controlled and husband still going in permanent AF with few symptoms. I'm afraid I Google too, not very wise as an out of date retired nurse!!

Do you practice deep breathing or mindfulness ( It can be just a few minutes a day) several people on here use Headspace. There are lots of options on YouTube.

As for cardio appt I would get in touch with PALS at your hospital Patient advice and Liaison Service. Every hospital has one. Google or ring switchboard. They are usually excellent.

[Luludean in reply to Bagrat]

My son is consultant paediatrician in NZ, he is very into mindfulness because of stress of very sick children. It works for him ,I tried it and yoga and Pilates.I sometimes saw a very good counsellor who did not uhhhhhhm at me. He retired.

I do try , for me being active is the best thing but at the moment my guts hurt too much and I can’t sleep.

Don’t laugh but, another problem is / are my mother’s ashes. I have had them here 11 months .... I have to take them to ancient family tomb in France. It is ludicrous, they have been officially sealed by French consulate , I have letter for the town hall, but , the cemetery still won’t allow me to take them there. I have no other family apart from my four kids.Soon I will unseal them and scatter them on the Cam..

so you have persistent AF?

L

[Buffafly in reply to Luludean]

Hi Lulu, picking up on the gut pain, what are you eating, if anything?

[Buffafly in reply to Buffafly]

PS Can you change to Apixaban? Rivaroxaban needs a fatty meal to work well, don't suppose you are taking it with that!

[Luludean in reply to Buffafly]

I asked my cardiologist about side effects of Xarelto and he told me he was " not an expert on the side effects of the drugs " he put me on . I was too scared to ask to change . He even wrote that comment to my GP , who was not impressed.

I have not seen him since, that was 2 years ago.

That is also why I am desperate to be seen ( as I used to be every year )at Addenbrooks.

I am truly grateful to all AF troopers who have replied.

[Buffafly in reply to Luludean]

Your GP can change you, mine did. I wanted to be able to follow a liquid diet for a day or so when I had an episode of IBS/diverticulitis. Much prefer it and have less stomach probs as well 😊

[Luludean in reply to Buffafly]

Not hungry but not sick .Making myself eat. Yoghurt, soup, pasta and chicken and, fudge bars. Loads of water.

After watching the Cenotaph I feel ashamed of myself. Does Metronidazole make you weep??? Brave old lady!!!! ( not me)

[Buffafly in reply to Luludean]

You will recover quicker if you follow a fluid only diet while the pain is bad, bone and veg broth and a little fruit juice. Then the low fibre diet you are following now. Difficult if you need to keep your strength up I know. Doc can prescribe disgusting nutritional drinks 😛 Best wishes

[Bagrat in reply to Luludean]

No sorry slapped wrist for abbreviations Paroxysmal AF and very well controlled. Do try PALS they unravel red tape.

[Buffafly]

I notice you say in your posts your travel insurance will be invalid if you don't see a cardiologist, not sure why?

[Luludean in reply to Buffafly]

Because there is a clause that says " have there been any changes in your condition? " I do not know if there have heart wise.

NZ is a challenging journey

[Buffafly in reply to Luludean]

If you haven't noticed anything different and nobody else has either then there haven't as far as you know! I should give them a call and ask how to interpret that clause. If your cardiologist doesn't think he needs to see you that's not your fault.

There was an interesting article in a newspaper recently saying that medicine is stuck in the 17th century in the way that checkups etc are done with patients having to make long journeys to see someone about not very much for five minutes! When I had my ablation I had a phone consultation with my EP in London and my local cardiologist did the follow up.

[Buffafly in reply to Buffafly]

PS I forgot you had tests in June, why can't they just email to say 'no change' if appropriate? Don't suppose you can answer that 🙄

[Luludean in reply to Buffafly]

You are right as usual! Can't answer that.

I was seeing the cardiologist privately for years . When he reluctantly saw me once on the NHS things were not so nice , that was when he told me he was not an expert on the side effects of drugs. He said he no longer needed to see me ..I had been seen there since 2000 following Valve repair done , not by , him on the NHS.

I fear the reason I have not been seen yet in the other hospital may be cut backs. How can I say that?

All I know is that I've lost confidence. I think this is a common thing in AF people.

Thank you ..

[Luludean in reply to Buffafly]

I gave in, made private appointment with a cardiologist I used to see 8 years ago. Though young , he semi retired , but he is back! Seeing him tomorrow .I am so relieved but, I know I am privileged and it seems wrong.

Thanks for in your input.

[Buffafly in reply to Luludean]

Hope it works out for you. I don't see why it's wrong, but sad, yes, that you can't get an answer you are entitled to in time. I am still waiting for the results of the biopsy I had six weeks ago 😡

[Luludean in reply to Buffafly]

It is ridiculous! Presumably they would have called you in if they found anything untoward! Stress of waiting is not good for AF.

Saw my first old consultant, bang on time and ,very very efficient and kind.

My valve leaking a little again but I can fly!

Hope you get good news soon.

[Auriculaire]

I had it for prophylaxis too during the bowel surgery but not for very long thank goodness.